Remote control latch pin mechanism

ABSTRACT

An automatic latch pin apparatus for handling auger flights comprising an auger flight receiver member having a bore adapted to receive an end of an auger flight and a sleeve member mounted on the receiver member, the sleeve member being adapted to be moved by a linkage connected thereto and controlled by an operator. A latch pin transporting mechanism is secured to the sleeve member. The movement of the sleeve member causes the latch pin transporting mechanism to carry a latch pin in a transverse direction with respect to the horizontal axis of the receiving member so that the latch pin can enter into or be removed from the bore of the receiver member, thus locking or unlocking an auger flight in the receiver member.

[4 1 Oct. 9, 1973 REMOTE CONTROL LATCH PlN MECHANISM [76] Inventor: Harry Miller, 126 Erskine Ln.,

Scott Depot, W. Va. 25560 22 Filed: July 5,1972

21 Appl. No.: 269,230

285/315, 287/53 TK, 287/53 SS, 287/52..08,

[51] Int. Cl. B23b 31/04, F16d l/06 [58] Field of Search 279/86, 97; 74/527,

74/529; 287/53 TX, 53 SS, 52.08; 285/315, 316; 292/140, 170; 192/67 R, 93 C, 114

Jacobson 292/170 3,481,248 12/1969 Engstromm, 192/93 C 3,618,962 11/1971 Cox et a1. 279/97 Primary Examiner-Allan D. Herrmann Attorney-Martin Fleit et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT An automatic latch pin apparatus for handling auger flights comprising an auger flight receiver member having a bore adapted to receive an end of an auger flight and a sleeve member mounted on the receiver member, the sleeve member being adapted to be moved by a linkage connected thereto and controlled by an operator. A latch pin transporting mechanism is secured to the sleeve member. The movement of the sleeve member causes the latch pin transporting mechanism to carry a latch pin in a transverse direction with respect to the horizontal axis of the receiving member so that the latch pin can enter into or be removed from the bore of the receiver member, thus locking or unlocking an auger flight in the receiver member.

9 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTED OUT 75 MEI 10F 3 PATENTED UB1 9 I975 SHED 20F 3 Fig.5 P

1 REMOTE CONTROL LATCH PIN MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Augers are generally used in areas where strip mining has become economically impracticable because of the thickness of the overburden. In fact, the basic reason for auger mining is that there is an economic point where the profit in strip mining directly hinges on the depth and composition of overburden which must be removed. When this point is reached or if this point would be rapidly reached, then augering is used.

Augers were first used in the mid l940s when the rapidly expanding production of coal by stripping during the World War II era in the northern Appalachian region left miles of highwall containing exposed coal seams which could no longer be mined by conventional strip mining but which could easily be mined by augering. After experimentation, large efficient auger flights or sections ranging up to 7 feet in diameter were developed to recover coal from the exposed coal seams. Most auger flights now being used run from 2 to 4 feet in diameter. Besides coal recovery, an additional benefit is derived from augering'opera tions in that the coal seams are opened up for future deep mining at a minimum cost.

Since the various states which have strip mining have passed new backfilling laws, reclamation projects and are requiring the operator to post a bond which may range as high as $1,000 per acre, augering in many instances can be done more economically than conventional strip mining, as auger mining increases the number of tons of coal recovered from a given property and has the industrys highest production average in tons mined per man-day.

In an auger mining operation, the auger is usually pulled to the mining site and is moved near the highwall where it can readily be positioned for drilling. It takes only a few minutes to move the auger and start production by engaging the auger bit with the coal seam. When the auger head bit encounters the coal seam being mined and cuts into the coal seam, the coal is carried out of its original situs by means of the thread configurationof the auger flight and is discharged into an area on'the auger machinery or some other suitable place where it can be moved away by a conveyor to the stockpile or directly into trucks.

When stockpiling is used, the coal is discharged on to the floor of the pit for convenient removal on the day shift. Thus augering can be carried on in multiple shifts during all but the most adverse weather with maximum utilization from the machine.

THe auger is fed into the particular coal seam in auger sections or flights which can, if desired, be of different diameters to correspond to varying widths of the seam. The auger flights or drill string may be driven a length of over two hundred feet into the side ofa mountain or hillside. After the initial test hole or holes are drilled, an additional number of consecutive holes are drilled in the seam leaving a to 40 inch web or pillar between setups or holes, depending on the softness of the coal. When the auger flights are removed from the hillside so that they can be used for the next setup, a number ofmen are generally used to unload the various auger flights from the hole as the auger drill string is removed. Such an operating procedure usually requires a minimum of three persons, one being the auger operator who operates the machinery driving the auger, one

being an auger flight mover who lifts the individual auger flights away from the auger drive means, and a third individual who is used as a latch pin remover.

In the prior art, auger flights had been held together by latch pins driven through the apertures of corresponding female and male ends of the respective flights. One man, the latch pin remover, was required to stand near the highwall and to take the latch pins out of the mated auger flights and secure the drivemeans of the machinery to the next auger flight so that it could be removed from the seam. This operation placed the latch pin remover in a very hazardous position near the highwall face of the coal where he was subject to being struck by objects coming from the face of the highwall such as boulders and other materials. Indeed, many miners have been killed while operating the auger machinery in this position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a remote control latch pin mechanism for handling augering flights and more specifically relates to a remote control mechanism used to remove a latch pin from an auger flight so that the auger can be removed from the drive mechanism while still coupled to a chuck drive.

The present automatic latch pin mechanism eliminates the need for the latch pin remover, thus reducing accidents which occur near this very hazardous position; near the highwall.

The inventive apparatus is strong and sturdy in construction and simple to operate. In operation, the invention provides a dual labor savings by eliminating one man from the auger crew while allowing the augerflights to be more quickly installed or removed. This saving of time allows more coal tonnage to be produced and, therefore, makes a more efficient mining operation.

For example, a standard twelve foot auger flight may be driven into a coal seam in approximately 1 minute s time-and removed in somewhat less time. However, the latch pin installation and/or removal of the flights may account for 2 to 3 minutes of operation time, thus a] lowing the augering equipment to be actually used only 25 to 35 percent of the time.

The present invention further provides for a novel latch pin actuating mechanism which allows the auger flight sections to be handled at substantially any angular position in which the flights may be lifted.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged section of the latch pin mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged side elevation view of the latch pin mechanism partially in section.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of latch pin movement on the key plate.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the wear plate shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6.

FIG. 9 is and end elevation view of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the key plate shown in FIGS. 4-7.

FIG. 11 is an end elevation view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a cross section of the latch pin guide block shown in FIGS. 4-6.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged front end elevation view of the latch pin shown in FIGS. 3-7.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the disassembled latch pin drive mechanism components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS As shown by drawings 1-16, the invention generally comprises a latch pin handling mechanism 20 adapted to hold an auger flight 22 and a drive means 24. A cutting head (not shown) is secured to the initial auger flight entering the coal seam. The drive means preferably is a standard engine with standard geared transmission adapted to drive a drive shaft 26. Secured to the drive shaft 26 is the drive mechanism holding means 28 which is adapted to receive and hold the base plate 29 of the auger flight receiving member 30.

The auger receiving member 30, as shown in FIGS.

1, 2 and 3 is preferably constructed to have a base plate 29 supporting and secured to a tubular body 31. The tubular body 31 has a centrally positioned bore 27 and an inner surface forming a plurality of splines 32 which project inwardly into the bore and extend longitudinally in the bore 27 forming splineways 33. The splines 32 have substantially radially extending shoulders which form an end surface having an arc of approximately 90. The splineways 33 are of sufficient size and configuration to allow the splines 66 of the male end 43 of the auger flight 22 to be slidably placed therein.

In an alternant embodiment of the receiving member 30, a lock plate having a plurality ofinwardly projecting sections can be secured to end of the tubular body 31, so that each of the locking plate sections has end surfaces extending beyond the corresponding end surface of splines 32 to form a locking notch. In such a relationship, the splines 32 would preferably have an end surface configuration forming an arc of approximately 70 with the end surfaces of the locking plate sections forming an arc of approximately 90 so that the surfaces of the locking plate sections would extend beyond the shoulders of splines 32 approximately 20 to form a locking flange which would fit spline notch 33 of spline 66 the male end 43 of the auger flight.

In the apparatus, the auger receiving member has a latch pin guide block 34 secured to the tubular body 31 as is seen in FIG. 16. The latch pin guide block 34 a cross section of which is seen in FIG. 13 has an arcuate channel 35 cut therein allowing it to slidably receive a latch pin 36. The latch pin 36 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 has a key guide channel 38 cut therein at a preferred approximately 20 angle. The angle of the channel is determined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the latch pin when the latch pin is placed in the guide block to receive or ride upon the key 40 of the key plate 42. The key 40 extends angularly from the key plate 42 and diagonally crosses the key plate 42 at an angle of approximately 20. However, both the guide channel 38 and key 40 can vary as to their angle of repose with regard to respective pin and key plate; the only requirement being that the key is able to act upon the latch pin to move it along the surface of the guide block.

The latch pin transporting mechanism comprises key plate 42 having a key 40 as shown in FIGS. 10-12, the key plate being secured by suitable means 44 as for example, a screw, rivet or weld, to the latch pin housing 46 of sleeve member 48. The housing 46 also has a wear plate 58 secured thereto by suitable means 60 similar to that used to secure the key plate 42 to the housing. The wear plate 58 is positioned opposite the key plate 42 and adjacent the guide block 34 of the receiving member 30 allowing guide block 34 to slide upon its surface thus keeping the surface from being nicked.

The sleeve member 48 is adapted to fit over the receiving member 30 with the latch pin transporting mechanism engaging the latch pin 36 and contacting guide block 34. The sleeve member 48 has a collar 50 secured thereto with a linkage 52 connected to the collar allowing the operator to move the sleeve member 48 along the outer surface of the receiving member 30 as shown by FIG. 2. The linkage 52 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a shift rod 54 which is connected to collar 50, yoke means 55 and a support rod 56 secured to the yoke means.

Apertures 62 and 64 of the respective tubular body 31 and the male end 43 are automatically aligned by the engagement of the splines 66 of the male end 43 of the auger flight with splineways 33 of the tubular body 31 and by the abutting relationship of the shoulder 68 of the maleend of auger flight against the end surface 70 of the tubular body 31 so that the apertures are always aligned at the correct position for entry of the latch pin.

In operation of the apparatus, the sleeve member 48 is moved by the operator by activating linkage 52. During the movement of the sleeve member 48, the latch pin 36 is slidably mounted on the latch pin guide block 34 and the key 40 so that the latch pin channel 38 slidably receives the key 40 of the key plate 42. As the sleeve 46 is moved by the operator through linkage 52, the latch pin 36 is carried along key 40 by the movement of key plate 42 as shown in FIG. 7 so that the latch pin 36 can reciprocate in aperture 62 of the tubular body 31 and into or out of aperture 64 of the male end 43 of the auger flight 22. When the latch pin is inserted into aperture 64 of the auger flight, the auger flight is coupled in the receiving member 30.

Thus, the end of the auger section 22, not engaged in the receiving member 30, when removed from the highwall of the mine, can be uncoupled from the lock coupling of male end of the flight still in the coal seam. The free end of the auger section 22 can then be tilted or moved and the latch pin 36 automatically disengaged from aperture 64 of the engaged male end of the auger flight by the operator activating linkage 52. The removal of latch pin 36 by the action of the moving key plate withdraws the pin from the aperture 64 of the auger flight allowing a crane, boom, hoist or other suitable means to carry the auger flight 24 away for reuse. When the auger flight 22 has been removed, the machine then slides forward into the highwall and engages the next auger flight. The operator activates the sleeve mechanism so that the latch pin 36 is inserted into the flight aperture 64 and the auger flight retracted by withdrawing the auger machine carriage. Conversely, additional flights can be added or installed in exactly the opposite manner when a drill string is driven into the coal seam.

In the invention, all of the auger flights have male ends identical to the male end 43 shown in FIG. 1 and female ends substantially identical to receiving member 30 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 16 excluding the guide block 34.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited to such an embodiment since it may be otherwise embodied in the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic latch pin apparatus for handling auger flights comprising a holding member; said holding member being adapted to receive and engage an end of an auger flight; sleeve means movably mounted on said holding member, linkage means secured to sleeve means, said linkage means being constructed to move said sleeve means along the surface of said holding member; said sleeve means comprising a body, a latch pin transporting mechanism secured to said body and a latch pin connected to said transporting mechanism, said latch pin transporting mechanism comprising a housing secured to said body; a key plate secured to the housing, sadi key plate defining a key, a latch pin mounted on said key, said latch pin defining a channel which receives said key of said key plate allowing said latch pin to move along said key, said latch pin transporting mechanism when moved by said linkage means acting upon said latch pin to reciprocate said latch pin.

2. An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a guide block secured to said holding member, with said latch pin being slidably mounted on said guide block so that the action of said key on said latch pin moves said latch pin in said guide block.

3. An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 2, including a wear plate secured to said housing, said wear plate being positioned opposite said key plate to protect said guide block.

4. An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein said latch pin channel is cut into said latch pin body at a substantially 20 angle.

5. An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key of said key plate projects from said key plate and diagonally extends across the surface and hold an auger flight, a latch pin activator member moveably mounted on said flight receiving member, said flight receiving member comprising a base plate, a tubular body secured to said base plate, said tubular body defining a bore therein a plurality of splines projecting inwardly in said bore to define a plurality of splineways, and an aperture therein communicating with said bore, a guide block secured to said tubular body adjacent said aperture, and a latch pin slidably engaging said guide block, said activator member comprising a sleeve member, a collar secured to said sleeve member, a key plate housing secured to said key plate housing, said key plate having a projecting key, said latch pin being slidably mounted to said key and adapted to be driven by said key along said guide block surface, and linkage secured to said collar, said linkage adapted to act against said collar to propel said activator member along the surface of said receiving member to drive said latch pin into said receiving member.

7. An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein each auger flight has a male end and a female end, said male end comprising a projecting tip having an aperture therein and a plurality of horizontally positioned splines secured thereto, said female end defining a bore having a diameter greater than the projecting tip of said male end and defining splineways which can receive the splines of the male end of another identical auger flight.

8. An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the male end of one said auger flight is received in the bore of said flight receiving member and the latch pin is driven into said receiving member and the aperture of the male end of the auger flight.

9. An automatic latch pin apparatus for handling auger flights comprising a holding member; said holding member being adapted to receive and engage an end of an auger flight; sleeve means movably mounted on said holding member, linkage means secured to sleeve means, said linkage means comprising a yoke and at least one driving rod connected to said yoke and being constructed to move said sleeve means along the surface of said holding member; said sleeve means comprising a body, a latch pin transporting mechanism secured to said body, said latch pin transporting mechanism comprising plate means secured to said body and a guide means diagonally defined by said plate means, a latch pin slidably connected to said guide means and adapted to be carried by said guide means, said latch pin transporting mechanism when moved by said linkage means acting upon said latch pin to reciprocate said latch pin. 

1. An automatic latch pin apparatus for handling auger flights comprising a holding member; said holding member being adapted to receive and engage an end of an auger flight; sleeve means movably mounted on said holding member, linkage means secured to sleeve means, said linkage means being constructed to move said sleeve means along the surface of said holding membEr; said sleeve means comprising a body, a latch pin transporting mechanism secured to said body and a latch pin connected to said transporting mechanism, said latch pin transporting mechanism comprising a housing secured to said body; a key plate secured to the housing, said key plate defining a key, a latch pin mounted on said key, said latch pin defining a channel which receives said key of said key plate allowing said latch pin to move along said key, said latch pin transporting mechanism when moved by said linkage means acting upon said latch pin to reciprocate said latch pin.
 2. An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a guide block secured to said holding member, with said latch pin being slidably mounted on said guide block so that the action of said key on said latch pin moves said latch pin in said guide block.
 3. An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 2, including a wear plate secured to said housing, said wear plate being positioned opposite said key plate to protect said guide block.
 4. An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said latch pin channel is cut into said latch pin body at a substantially 20* angle.
 5. An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key of said key plate projects from said key plate and diagonally extends across the surface of said key plate.
 6. An automatic latch pin apparatus for handling auger flights comprising drive means, an auger flight receiving member mounted to said drive means, said auger flight receiving member being adapted to receive and hold an auger flight, a latch pin activator member moveably mounted on said flight receiving member, said flight receiving member comprising a base plate, a tubular body secured to said base plate, said tubular body defining a bore therein a plurality of splines projecting inwardly in said bore to define a plurality of splineways, and an aperture therein communicating with said bore, a guide block secured to said tubular body adjacent said aperture, and a latch pin slidably engaging said guide block, said activator member comprising a sleeve member, a collar secured to said sleeve member, a key plate housing secured to said key plate housing, said key plate having a projecting key, said latch pin being slidably mounted to said key and adapted to be driven by said key along said guide block surface, and linkage secured to said collar, said linkage adapted to act against said collar to propel said activator member along the surface of said receiving member to drive said latch pin into said receiving member.
 7. An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein each auger flight has a male end and a female end, said male end comprising a projecting tip having an aperture therein and a plurality of horizontally positioned splines secured thereto, said female end defining a bore having a diameter greater than the projecting tip of said male end and defining splineways which can receive the splines of the male end of another identical auger flight.
 8. An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the male end of one said auger flight is received in the bore of said flight receiving member and the latch pin is driven into said receiving member and the aperture of the male end of the auger flight.
 9. An automatic latch pin apparatus for handling auger flights comprising a holding member; said holding member being adapted to receive and engage an end of an auger flight; sleeve means movably mounted on said holding member, linkage means secured to sleeve means, said linkage means comprising a yoke and at least one driving rod connected to said yoke and being constructed to move said sleeve means along the surface of said holding member; said sleeve means comprising a body, a latch pin transporting mechanism secured to said body, said latch pin transporting mechanism comprising plate means secured to said body and a guide means diagonally defined by saiD plate means, a latch pin slidably connected to said guide means and adapted to be carried by said guide means, said latch pin transporting mechanism when moved by said linkage means acting upon said latch pin to reciprocate said latch pin. 